Differential drive to surface of individual rewind rolls



c. AARON June 8, 1965 v DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE TO SURFACE OF INDIVIDUAL REWIND ROLLS Filed Jan. 14, 1963 s Sheets-She et 1 INV EV TOR. (Al/P453 441904 C. AARON June 8, 1965 DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE TO SURFACE OF INDIVIDUAL REWIND ROLLS Filed Jan. 14, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR (#4245! 444% June 8, 1965 C, AARON 3,188,016

DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE TO-SURFACE OF INDIVIDUAL REWIND ROLLS Filed Jan. 14, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 9 a4 4% l 66 6 2 95 INVENTOR. A

4 90 Fla. 3 (6474255 /4 3,13%,tll6 DWEERENTHAL DREW? T60 SURZ' AQE F ENDHVEDUAL REV/IND RULLS Charles Aaron, West (Ialdwell, Nah, assignor to Cameron Machine Qompany, Dover, Ni, a corporation of New York Filed tan. 14, EM, Ser. No. 251,34? 1t (Ilaims. (Ci. 242-65} This invention relates to rewind machines and more particularly to novel means for mounting and driving rewind rolls.

Basically rewind machines are utilized for receiving a relatively wide mill or supply roll, unwinding same and slitting or cutting it longitudinally into strips or subwebs of material. Thence, the webs are each rewound on individual cores. As is well known to one skilled in the art, a number of problems are encountered, particularly while rewinding certain materials such as plastics which are prone to be slippery, stretchy, baggy in certain areas or of a non-uniform caliper throughout the length thereof. Such problems result in, inter alia, unevenness along the side edges of the rewind roll, improper density of the roll, and varying tensions of the web within the roll. Of course, these factors effect the quality and marketability of the finished product.

When webs of material, which are of uneven caliper or tend to be baggy, are slit into individual strips, these strips tend to be of unequal length. Consequently, if these strips are wound into rolls in the conventional manher in contact with a drum whose surface speed is constant across its face, some of these strips will tend to go slack and some will tend to be stretched excessively.

In view of the foregoing, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a friction driven segmented drum against which individual rolls can be wound so that it is possible for each slit strip to run at a speed commensurate with its true length. By making the theov retical surface speed of the segmented drum (with friction drive locked) fast enough to take up the longest slit strip, it is possible to wind all strips with the same degree of tightness. Moreover, a plurality of rewind rolls with substantially different diameters may be simultaneously rewound.

Since the amountof tension wound into an individual roll depends on the amount of surface drive imparted to it by a given segmented drum it is possible to adjust the amount of surface driven and consequently the degree of tension wound into a roll by adjusting the amount of frictional drive torque delivered to a given drum segment or group of segments by varying the amount of pneumatic pressure delivered to the clutch element in that segment.

Experience teaches that rolls wound by surface drive only are superior if wound with a constant tension pattern.

it has been found that by maintaining a constant torque setting on a given sleeve or group of sleeves it is possible to wind rolls with a constant tension.

Also, since the individual sleeves are made reasonably narrow, it is possible to apply winding tension whose total value is approixmately proportional to roll width, thus, making the tension per inch of width constant throughout the web width. This arrangement makes it possible to wind rolls of a wide range of widths in a given setup. Such a range of roll sizes is usually not practical with conventional winding machines.

Moreover, since the input torque is applied to the outside surface of the rewind roll, it has been found that the heat losses into the material which normally accompany machines with center drive are eliminated.

Further in accordance with the invention, constant speed power input means may be employed throughout 3,188,916 Patented June 8, 1965 the entire cycle as the rewind roll builds up in diameter. This simplifiies the driving means as well as the necessary control apparatus. Since the rewind rolls are driven by means of the drum or drum sleeves engaging the outside surface thereof, the usual rewind roll shaft drive is eliminated along with its attendant driving components and the rewind arms can be constructed more narrowly, thus allowing the rewind rolls to be positioned closer together one to the other.

The rewind machines involving the invention are provided with means whereby a plurality of precision drum sleeves are rotatably mounted on a main drum, and clutch means are interposed therebetween. The sleeves are mounted in such a manner that the end play thereof is practically eliminated. Thus, individual rewind rolls will not be oscillated axially back and forth during the rewinding operation. This will prevent the production of a ragged roll edge. Further, the sleeves themselves are closely spaced one to the other so that when one strip of webbing covers several sleeves, the webbing material will not be marked or lined thereby.

In order to achieve the aforementioned features and objects, my invention contemplates the provision of a rewind machine having one or more rewind shafts which are adapted for the winding thereon of a web of material in the form of a rewind roll. Preferably there is more than one rewind roll and means are provided for peripherally driving each of the rewind rolls independently. 7 Control means may be provided for controlling the driving means either as desired or in response to the web tension. A main drum and differential driving means interposed between the rewind rolls and the main drum may be employed for driving the rewind roll. Preferably a main drum is provided which has a plurality of sleeves rotatably mounted thereon, and means are provided for driving the surface thereof at a preselected speed which is in excess of the linear speed of the web. Further, a plurality of clutch means are provided, each having the driving side thereof drivingly connected to its corresponding sleeve. Means are provided for mounting the drum in a position so that the sleeves thereon are in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls. All of said clutch means may be actuated in response to a single preselected force, orindividual clutch means may be individually actuatedin response to preselected forces. Each individual clutch means may be actuated in response to the longitudinal tension in its respective web, as desired. I

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention hereof will appear from the detailed description given below, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and illustrate by way of example, preferred embodiments of' the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. .1 is a side elevation showing a rewind machine Webmaterial 14 is fed from mill or supply roll 16 which is rotatably mounted on shaft 18. The web 14 is then passed partially around aseries of driven rolls, three being shown, as 20, 22 and 24. The driven'rolls are rotatably mounted about shafts 21, 23 and 25, respectively. Suitq able means are provided to cut the web into a plurality of elongated longitudinal strips or subwebs. In the present embodiment this is accomplished, by way of example, by a plurality of slitters or cutters 26 positioned adjacent driven roll 24. The cutters 26 may be mounted upon a horizontal slideway 28 which allows the cutters to be adjusted for different subweb widths, as desired. The web then passes partially around rewind drum assemblies designated generally at 30 and 32. Adjacent strips of Webbing pass alternately around main drum assemblies 3i and 32 for a purpose which will hereinafter be described more fully. From the main drum assemblies, the web passes to the rewind rolls 34 and 36, respectively. The rewind rolls are built up upon rewind shafts 3S and 40 provided for the purpose. Rewind shafts 38 and as are each mounted on pairs of rewind arms 42 and 44, respectively: one arm only of each pair being shown. It is to be noted that since the rewind shafts do not receive torque input, they merely need to be freely rotatably mounted in their rewind arms. Thus, the usual driving means which are provided at the extremity of the arms are eliminated and, therefore, the rewind rolls when positioned longitudinally in a line may be spaced closer together one to the other. This makes it possible to wind narrower rolls than when driving means are provided for individual rolls. As mentioned heretofore, alternate strips of webbing are fed first to the front portion of the machine, and the next adjacent strip is fed to the rear portion 12 of the machine or vice versa. In other words, the rewind rolls are rewound in two separate groups, one group being rewound in the front portion 10 of the machine on rewind shaft 38 while the other group is rewound in the rear portion 12 of the machine on rewind shaft 40, the individual rewind rolls being staggered on the separate shafts so that each will be well separated, thereby effecting a positive space therebetween. Each individual strip must have its own drum sleeve which rotates at its own speed and therefore space therebetween is necessary. Moreover, such staggering or alternating of adjacent strips provides space therebetween for accommodating the supporting ends of the rewind arms as best seen in FIG. 2,

main drum assembly 30 is mounted in a position so that the sleeves thereon are in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls 34 and 34a. It is noted that the rewind rolls 34 and 34a are carried by rewind shafts 38 and 38a which are, in turn, mounted on rewind arms 42 and 42a, respectively.

The inside ends of the rewind arms 42 and 44 are pivotally mounted on rewind support brackets such as 46 and 48 by means of pins such as 47 and 49, respectively. Support brackets such as 46 and 48 are each adjustably mounted in horizontal slideways 51 and 53, respectively. It is to be noted that the ways are longitudinally extending-and, therefore, a plurality of pairs or rewind support brackets may be secured to each set of ways so that a number of rewind strips may be rewound at the same time. Further, since the support bracket is adjustably mounted, the two rewind arms used to support a rewind roll may be provided at different spaced distances apart so that rewind strips of any desired width may be rewound. Further, varying widths may be rewound at the same time.

Any suitable means may be employed for supporting the rewind arms 42 in position while the rewind roll 34 increases in diameter due to the web of material being wound thereon. The means illustrated comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 50 having pipe connections (not shown) positioned at each end thereof. One end of rod 52 is fixedly connected to the cylinder 50 and the otherend thereof is pivotally connected to the rewind support bracket 46 by means of pin 54 as shown. Positioned at the other end of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 50 is a piston rod 56 which is pivotally attached to the rewind arm 42 by means of pin 58. Ambient fluid under pressure is directed into the cylinder in order to maintain the nip or contact force substantially constant.

The main drum assembly 30 remains in a fixed position throughout the rewind cycle. As the diameter of the rewind roll 34 increases, fluid is introduced into the cylinder 5d so that the rewind arm 42 pivots about pin 47 and the nip or contact force between the rewind roll 34 and the drum assembly 30 remains substantially constant. Control of the fluid input and output to the cylinder may be provided by any satisfactory means, as desired. The means described in U.S. Patents No. 2,872,126, granted February 3, 1959 is suitable for use with this invention. The cylinder 6% which operates in conjunction with the rear rewind arms 44 operates in the same manner as the front rewind arm cylinder 50 described heretofore.

It is to be noted that the main drum assembly 32 is constructed and operates in substantially the same manner as the main drum assembly 30 so that the foregoing de-.

scription is equally applicable thereto.

Motive means such as motor 5'7 is provided for driving the rewind drum assemblies 30 and 32 and rolls 21, 22 and 24. It is to be noted that the diameter of the main drum assemblies remains constant throughout the rewind cycle, and, therefore, a constant speed driving source may be utilized.

As described heretofore, the main drum assembly remains in a fixed position and the diameter thereof also remains constant throughout the entire rewind cycle. Thus, a short fixed draw is provided, that is, the distance between the surface of the main drum assembly and the surface of the next preceding idler roll 24- remains short and fixed, thereby improving the rewind pattern.

Referring now to FIG. 2 the main drum assembly 30 comprises a main drum 59. At the extremities of the main drum 59 are suitable supporting means such as, for example, ball bearings 61. A belt pulley or gear 63 is fixedly connected to the main drum 59 by means of a key 64 at a convenient position thereon. Motor 57 drives the gear 63 at a constant speed or variable speed, as desired.

The interior of the main drum 59 is bored as at 62 for the passage of air or other ambient fluid there through. Air under pressure supplied to the passage 62 provides a means for controlling and actuating clutch means designated generally at 65. The main drum 59 is the driving member of the clutch, and drum sleeves 66 are the driven members thereof. A plurality of clutches, one for each sleeve, is positioned axially along the exterior of the main drum 59 by means of spacers 67 and lock nuts 69, which are positioned outwardly from the clutch members. A plurality of drum sleeves, six being shown, may be spaced longitudinally along the length of the main drum. At least one drum sleeve is provided for each rewind roll, and several may be utilized for a single roll when the roll is of considerable width. The sleeves are spaced longitudinally along the main drum in close adjacent proximity in order to reduce the marking effect when several sleeves are utilized for a single strip of webbing. It has been found from experimentation that the rewind machine performs better if the drum sleeves have a friction covered outside surface.

Still referring to FIG. 2 the air or ambient fluid may be injected from either end of the main drum.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a detailed sectional view'illustrating the preferred embodiment of the clutch mechanism. Here the main drum 59 is subdivided into two components 68 and 70 which are welded together by means of welding joint 71 as a matter of mechanical convenience. Air enters the internal passage or bore 62 of the main drum and is radially dispersed through apertures 72, which are actually a series of radially directed bores, to a circumferential slot or groove 73. The air continues radially outwardly until it reaches chamber 74, from whence it exerts axial pressure against thediaphragms '76. As the air passes outwardly from the main drum 59, through circumferential groove 73, it passes through radially directed apertures in a differential rewind roll spacer 78. An air seal is maintained betwen the differential rewind roll spacer 78 and the main drum 59 by means of 0 rings till. In order to facilitate the manufacture of the spacer 78 the apertures therein are drilled from the exterior thereof, and the outer portion of the apertures are closed by means of plugs 82 provided for the purpose.

The outer portions of the diaphragms 7e are held in position by means of the outer diaphragm clamps 84. Actually, they are annular rings having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 86 passing therethrough, as shown. The inner portions of the diaphragms 76 are held in position by means of inner diaphragm clamps 83 which also contain a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts in a flange-like manner. The diaphragms 76 are adapted to urge plates 92 longitudinally outward with a force directly proportional to the air pressure of the am bient fluid. The plates $2; are kept from rotating relative to the inner diaphragms clamp members d8 by means of pins such as 94. Pins Q4 engage slots 109 in'plates 92, thus, permitting axial motion of plates 92 under pressure from diaphragms 76. Adjacent plates 92 are rings 96. The surface of the ring 96 adjacent its corresponding surface on plate 92 forms the contact friction surfaces of the clutch mechanism. The rings 96 are secured to the drum sleeves by means of a plurality of annularly spaced bolts 98. The heads of these bolts are countersunk in order to eliminate the possibility of an uneven friction surface. Longitudinally spaced from the inner diaphragm clamp ringsSS are the inner thrust rings 10th. Adjacent the inner thrust rings ltlllare thrust bearings 102 which preferably are of the needle type or the like. Adjacent the thrust bearings 162 are positioned outer thrust rings I64. Outwardly disposed from the thrust rings 104 are bearings 106. It is to he noted that each drum sleeve is provided with its own bearing and therefore each drum sleeve may be rotated independently from the next adjacent drum sleeve and thereby maintain its own individual surface speed. Disposed between the inner diaphragm clamp 38 and the inner thrust ring 1% are a plurality of circumferentially spaced spring members suchas 108'. The purpose of the spring members 198 is to maintain an axial pressure against the thrust hearing Ill); and indirectly against the radial ball bearing 106 in order to minimize the axial play of the drum sleeves so that they rotate radially true. This provides an improved tracking pattern for the web material as it is being wound upon the rewind roll. That is, the web wil be led to the rewind roll in a continuously uniform manner without so-called axial wobble.

In operation the main drum is driven by means of the motor 57 at a speed such that the perpheral surface speed of all of the drum sleeves is in excess of the web feed speed. That is the surface speed thereof is in. excess of the feed speed of the fastest moving web. The outside peripheral surface of the drum sleeve is in peripheral driving engagement with the outside surface of the re wind roll. Input torque is transmitted from the main drum through the clutch mechanism to the drum sleeves, from whence this torque urges the rewind roll into rotation. The speed of individual drums is dictated by the speed of the individual slitstrips, respectively. The clutch slip will, therefore, vary for each strip depending on the difference between input clutch speed and strip speeds.

Although particular embodiments of the invention are herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, further modifications thereof, after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Reference should accordingly be had to the appended-claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: P

1. In a rewind machine, a plurality of rewind shafts each adapted for the winding thereon of web material in the form of a rewind roll, a main drum having a plurality of drum sleeves rotatably mounted thereon, means for driving said drum at a preselected speed in excess of the web feed speed, a plurality of slip clutch means for said sleeves respectively and each clutch means having the driving side thereof in driving engagement with said drum and the driven side thereof drivingly connected to its respective sleeve, and means mounting said drum in position for holding each sleeve in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls.

2. In a rewind machine having a front portion and a rear portion thereof, a plurality of rewind shafts positioned in said front portion and a plurality of rewind shafts positioned in said rear portion each of which being adapted for the winding thereon of web material in the form of a rewind roll, a main drum for said front portion and a main drum for said rear portion, each of said main drums having a plurality of drum sleeves rotatably mounted thereon, means for driving said drums at preselected speeds in excess of the web feedspeed, a plurality of slip clutch means for said sleeves respectively and each clutch means having the driving side thereof in driving engagement with said drums respectively, and the driven side thereof drivingly connected to its respective sleeve, and means mounting said drums in position for holding said sleeves in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls.

3. The rewind machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said drum sleeves is provided with a frictioned peripheral surface.

4. In a rewind machine, a rewind shaft adapted for the winding thereon of web material in the form of a rewind roll, a main drum having drum sleeves rotatably mounted thereon, means for driving said drum at a preselected speed in excess of the web feed speed, slip clutch means having the driving side thereof in driving engagement with said drum and the driven side thereof drivingly connected to said sleeve, means mounting said drum in position for holding said sleeve in peripheral engagement with said rewind roll, and means for actuating said clutch means in response to the longitudinal tension in said web.

5. In a rewind machine, a plurality of rewind shafts each adapted for the winding thereon of web material in the form of a rewind roll, a main drum having a plurality of drum sleeves rotatably mounted thereon, means for driving said drum at a preselected speed in excess of the web feed speed, a plurality of slip clutch means for said sleeve respectively and each clutch means having the driving side thereof drivingly connected to said drum and the driven side thereof drivingly connected to its respective sleeve, means mounting said drum in position for holding said sleeves in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls, and means for actuating said clutch means in response to a preselected constant force.

6. In a rewind machine, a plurality of rewind shafts I each adapted for the winding thereon of web material in the form of a rewind roll, a main drum having a plurality of drum sleeves rotatably mounted thereon, means for driving said drum at preselected speeds, a plurality of slip clutch means for said sleeve respectively and each clutch means having the driving side thereof in driving engagement with said drum and the driven side thereof drivingly connected to its respective sleeve, means mounting said drum in position for holding said sleeves in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls, and means for actuating each of said Eliitch means in response to the required longitudinal tension of its respective web.

7. In a rewind machine, a plurality of independently mounted rewind shafts divided into a rear group and a front group, a pair of rewind arms being provided for each rewind shaft, each of said rewind shafts being adapted for the winding thereon of web material in the form of a rewind roll, a main drum for said front portion and a main drum for said rear portion, each of said main drums having a plurality of drum sleeves rotatably mounted thereon, means for driving said drums at preselected speeds in excess of the web feed speed, a plurality of slip clutch means for said sleeves respectively and each clutch means having the driving side thereof in driving engagement with said drums respectively, and the driven side thereof drivingly connected to its respective sleeve, and means mounting said drums in position for holding said sleeves in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls.

8. In a rewind machine, a plurality of rewind shafts each adapted for a Winding thereon of Web material in the form of a rewind roll, a main drum having a plurality of drum sleeves rotatably mounted thereon, means for driving said drum at a preselected speed in excess of the web feed speed, a plurality of slip clutch means for said sleeves respectively and each clutch means having the driving side thereof in driving engagement with said drum and the driven side thereof drivingly connected to its respective sleeve, each of said clutch means including: fluid supply means, a diaphragm axially deflectable by said fluid when said fluid is subjected to pressure, a plate carried by the driving side of said clutch and being axially deflectable by said diaphragm, a ring portion carried by said sleeve, said ring portion being frictionally engageable with said plate, and means mounting said drums in position for holding said sleeves in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls.

9. In a rewind machine having a front portion and a rear portion, a plurality of rewind shafts positioned in said front portion and a plurality of rewind shafts positioned in said rear portion, each of which being adapted for the winding thereon of web material in the form of a rewind roll, a main drum for said front portion and a second main drum for said rear portion, each of said main drums having a plurality of drum sleeves rotatively mounted thereon, means for driving said drums at preselected speeds in excess of the Web feed speed, a plurality of slip clutches for said sleeves respectively, said clutches having the driving sides thereof in driving engagement with said drums respectively and the driven sides thereof drivingly connected to said sleeves respectively, each of said clutches including: fluid supply means, a fluid chamber in' fluid flow communication with said fluid supply means, a ring shaped diaphragm disposed adjacent said fluid chamber and being axially deflectable by said fluid when said fluid is subjected to pressure, a plate positioned in engagement with said diaphragm and being axially deflectable by said diaphragm, a ring carried by the respective driver sleeve and being frictionally engageable with said plate, and means mounting said drums in position for holding said sleeves in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls.

10. In a rewind machine having a front portion and a rear portion, a plurality of rewind shafts positioned in said front portion and a plurality of rewind shafts positioned in said rear portion, each of which being adapted for the winding thereon of web material in the form of a rewind roll, a main drum for said front portion and a second main drum for said rear portion, each of said main drums having a plurality of drum sleeves rotatively mounted thereon, motive means for driving said drums at preselected speeds in excess of the web feed speed, a plurality of slip clutches for said sleeves, respectively, said clutches having the driving sides thereof in driving engagement with said drums respectively, and a driven side thereof drivingly connected to said sleeve respectively, each of said clutches including: fluid supply means, a ring-shaped fluid chamber, a ring-shaped diaphragm disposed adjacent said fluid chamber, said diaphragm being axially deflectable by said fluid when said fluid is subjected to pressure, a plate carried by the driving side of said clutch means and being axially deflectable by said diaphragm, a ring connected to its respective sleeve and being frictionally engageable with said plate, an inner thrust ring carried by the driving side of its respective clutch, an outer thrust ring carried by the driven side of its respective clutch, bearing means disposed between the driving and driven sides of said clutch, and resilient means urging said bearing means in one axial direction to minimize the axial play of said clutch means, and means mounting said drums in position for holding said sleeves in peripheral engagement with their respective rewind rolls.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,060,269 11/36 Wiklc 242 2,985,398 5/61 Rockstrom et al. 242-65 3,010,671 11/61 Brown 242-56.9 3,086,726 4/63 Aaron 242-65 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3,188,016 June 8, 1965 Charles Aaron It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 48, for "driven" read drive column 3, line 53, for "or" read of column 4, line 9, for "Patents" read Patent column 5, line 19, for "diaphragms" read diaphragm column 7, line 15, for "a" read the Signed and sealed this 21st day of December 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A REWIND MACHINE, A PLURALITY OF REWIND SHAFTS EACH ADAPTED FOR THE WINDING THEREON OF WEB MATERIAL IN THE FORM OF A REWIND ROLL, A MAIN DRUM HAVING A PLURALITY OF DRUM SLEEVES ROTATABLY MOUNTED THEREON, MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID DRUM AT PRESELECTED SPEED IN EXCESS OF THE WEB FEED SPEED, A PLURALITY OF SLIP CLUTCH MEANS FOR SAID SLEEVE RESPECTIVELY AND EACH CLUTCH MEANS HAVING THE DRIVING SIDE THEREOF IN DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DRUM AND THE DRIVEN SIDE THEREOF DRIVINGLY 